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Photo by Darian Warden

Moffat County High School junior and FFA member Ripley Bellio stands next to the horse while senior Taylor Duzik sits holding a puppy during barnyard day. MCHS students in FFA hosted barnyard day for district kindergartners, introducing them to the agriculture industry in honor of national FFA week.

Craig — Moffat County kindergartners got an up-close and personal look at agriculture Thursday with some help from the Moffat County High School FFA club.

FFA students with puppies and roping gear welcomed the kindergarteners to Barnyard Day in honor of national FFA Week.

Barnyard Day featured a variety of stations for kids to visit. They learned about roping, tractors, hydroponics while also getting to see barnyard animals. With a steer, horse, piglets, lambs and puppies available to pet, the kindergartners flocked to the caged chickens, asking the most questions at that station.

“The kids seem to be really liking the stations,” high school senior and FFA chapter Pesident Bow Richardson said. “Some have even started crying because they don’t want to leave.”

Sandrock Elementary School kindergarten teacher Karla Haddock said her students love participating in Barnyard Day each year.

Kindergartner Andrea Rodriguez said her favorite part of the day was seeing the chickens, but for many of the boys, the allure of the roping station kept them coming back for more.

Richardson thanked Tri-State for donating the use of the tractor and MJK for providing necessary materials to host the animals, most of which were raised by FFA members.

Richardson said it’s important to introduce kids to the agriculture industry at a young age because it’s such an integral part of Moffat County.

“Agriculture has to do with everything,” Richardson said. “From the bubblegum that’s in my mouth to the clothes I’m wearing. That’s agriculture. Everything we do every day relates to agriculture.”

Darian Warden can be reached at 875-1793 or dwarden@craigdailypress.com